Concord Law Blog

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Friday, July 14, 2017.

Motor vehicle accidents can happen at any time of year and for a large number of reasons, from DUI to speeding and fatigue. However, you should be aware of certain times when the likelihood of an accident may be even higher. For example, if you plan on driving during the Fourth of July, you may want to review statistics on the frequency of motor vehicle accidents during this holiday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous days of the year with regard to traffic collisions. In fact, this holiday is among the four most deadly days, along with July 3, December 24, and December 23. There are various reasons why this holiday can be so deadly. For example, traffic may become very hectic on roads across the country as people move to and from family celebrations and firework shows. Also, many people choose to celebrate the holiday with alcoholic beverages and some of them make the poor decision to operate their vehicle while intoxicated.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Friday, July 7, 2017.

When it comes to speeding, there are various factors to consider. For example, some people accidentally drive over the speed limit without realizing it, while others recklessly get behind the wheel and reach excessive speeds intentionally. Regardless, any time a driver speeds, they put lives at risk in Mecklenburg, and all other cities in North Carolina.

During 2015, 18 percent of drivers involved in deadly auto accidents were driving over the speed limit at the time of the crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Moreover, 27 percent of fatal car crash victims were involved in a wreck where a driver was speeding. Tragically, many of these fatalities were entirely preventable and occurred because of careless and dangerous behavior.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in dwi on Friday, June 30, 2017.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to DUI charges, such as the existence of previous offenses and whether or not any victims were hurt in the accident. However, those who are charged with driving under the influence in North Carolina and are not 21 years old may have unique considerations. For example, they may lose their ability to drive to school or be unable to get to and from work. In many states, the legal limit for teenagers is much lower than it is for adults.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that among high-schoolers 16 and over, ten percent had driven under the influence of alcohol in the previous 30 days. Since 1991, the number of underage drunk drivers in the U.S. has declined. From 1991 to 2011, the percentage of high school teens who drove drunk fell by 54 percent. However, many young drivers continue to take to the road, some of whom are not even aware that the very small amount of alcohol they consumed could result in significant problems.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Tuesday, June 27, 2017.

Serious accidents happen every day in North Carolina. Between three and four people die in motor vehicle crashes every day, and roughly 338 people are hurt every day, according to 2015 crash statistics. That means that you incur risk every time you decide to get into a car, whether you're driving or riding as a passenger.

When most people think about cellphones and car accidents, they think about distracted driving. Cellphones can contribute to serious accidents. However, they can also help you document the aftermath of an accident, which can help you after the crash.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Friday, June 23, 2017.

There are all sorts of dangers that can increase the chances of a motor vehicle accident proving deadly. For example, if a reckless driver reaches excessive speeds or is driving while severely impaired due to alcohol or drugs, the outcome may be devastating. If you are concerned about fatal accidents, there are other factors that you should think about, such as the time of day that you are on the road. If you have to drive at night on a regular basis, for work or any other reason, you should be vigilant and recognize the dangers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fatal auto crashes involving people who were riding in passenger vehicles are three times more likely to take place at night than in the day. In fact, not only are drivers more likely to be operating vehicles while impaired due to alcohol consumption at night, but passengers are less likely to wear seatbelts. Other factors that can contribute to the outcome of a nighttime accident include poor visibility and drowsy driving due to sleep deprivation.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in misdemeanors on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

If you have committed a misdemeanor offense in North Carolina, the severity of your punishment depends on a number of different factors, including the discretion of the judge. However, no judge has the authority to set an unreasonable penalty. The North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission explains that lawmakers have set some parameters for sentencing policies in the state, known as structured sentencing.

Judges work from a misdemeanor punishment chart when determining what the penalties will be for your offense. It is divided by class of the offense and by the number of prior convictions. Classes range from A1, which is most severe, down to one, two, and then three, which is least severe. Conviction levels begin with no priors, then one to four priors, and finally five or more.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in drug possession on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

Marijuana laws have changed in a growing number of states. North Carolina is one of the states that has taken steps to reduce penalties for possession. Don't let that fool you. Marijuana possession is still a serious crime in North Carolina. The more you have, the more likely you are to face serious consequences. For those with small amounts of marijuana, possession has been decriminalized, meaning the offender will face fines and a criminal record, but no jail time. That doesn't mean that there aren't penalties for marijuana possession, only that the penalties are lower in some cases.

You may not think that marijuana possession is a big deal, but your employer and landlord may not agree. Worse, even if your charges fall within the decriminalized amounts, you'll still have a criminal record. Those with drug offenses on their records are subject to scrutiny from employers and are no longer able to obtain federal student aid for college. While you may feel tempted to just plead guilty because you believe the offense is minor, doing so could prove to be a mistake that haunts you for the rest of your life. Mounting a defense against the charges is a better decision in most cases.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in dwi on Friday, June 9, 2017.

When it comes to drunk driving, there are an array of factors that must be considered. For example, those facing DUI charges may have their lives upended in all sorts of ways, while others may not be sure if they are over the legal limit after consuming a seemingly small amount of alcohol. However, drunk driving among teens raises additional issues and it is vital to realize the prevalence of underage DUI.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 2015 survey found that eight percent of high schoolers operated a vehicle after drinking alcohol in the previous 30 days. There are various factors that may lead to underage DUI, such as pressure from fellow high school students or not realizing that one is over the legal limit. Furthermore, one out of five high schoolers who were surveyed admitted that in the last 30 days, they had ridden in a vehicle which was being operated by a driver who consumed alcohol beforehand.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Friday, June 2, 2017.

You might choose to walk for any number of reasons. For example, you may decide to walk to work because your car is in the shop. Or, perhaps you walk your children to school or simply enjoy getting some exercise. Unfortunately, some people who do these same activities lose their lives after being struck by a North Carolina driver. To make things worse, many of these pedestrian accidents never should have happened and only took place because a driver was intoxicated or failed to pay attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that pedestrian accidents claimed more than 5,300 lives during 2015. Moreover, pedestrians have a greater likelihood of losing their lives in traffic accidents than those who ride in passenger vehicles, according to statistics. On top of the loss of life, these accidents also leave a large number of pedestrians hurt. Throughout 2015, emergency rooms took care of nearly 129,000 pedestrians who sustained injuries in an accident.

On behalf of Baker Billick, P.A. posted in dwi on Friday, May 26, 2017.

If you are charged with drunk driving, you may be worried about losing your driver’s license, being ordered to pay steep financial penalties and even being sentenced to prison. However, drunk driving charges could affect your life in other ways as well. At Baker Billick, our North Carolina law firm knows all too well how these charges can shatter the lives of people in Mecklenburg, and all across the state.

While time behind bars and fines can be devastating, you could lose your job because of these charges, which may be especially difficult due to the competitive job market. Worse yet, you could have difficulty finding work in your field years later, depending on your occupation. Even if you are able to keep your job, you may have a hard time getting to work if you lose your ability to drive, which could affect your performance. Unfortunately, drunk driving charges can create a snowball effect of stress, financial challenges and other problems.

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